Religion can be easy. And it can be easy because of what it may demand from us. Christianity, on the other hand, isn’t easy. It is difficult because it demands a lot more than we want to offer, it demands a lot more than we want to tolerate, it demands a lot more than we want to take on, and it demands the kind of sacrifice which is only possible if we are in tune with the sufferings of the cross. If you remember, one of the requests that was made to Jesus by the Jewish authorities at the foot of the cross was ‘If you are the son of God, come down from the cross and we will believe in you.’ The authorities were so confounded that Jesus would take upon himself the shame and horrific pain of the cross. It didn’t make sense to them. "Why would he suffer over a claim that was not true?" they may have asked themselves.  The point the authorities sought to make was that the suffering was not worth it, and that the best way to relieve themselves of it was to take their bait. But would they have truly believed in him if he had come down from the cross? I don't think so. What distinguishes Jesus the Christ from all others is that he embraced the world’s hatred, suffering, indignities, spite, anger, and disgrace all to himself on the cross. The gem here is that it is through this very holy act that Christ refuses to give us a religion, more so, a religion of comfort. Christianity has never been a religion, and those who have used Christianity as a religion do so only to gratify their individual selves. Those people find ways through which they can use Christianity to pursue an agenda which isn’t only depraved but is diametrically opposed to the core of being Christian - which is a crucified love. One such agenda that has been worrying is the growing scourge of Christian nationalism-the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation, or America is supposed to be a Christian nation, or the government should favor Christianity. I have no doubt that if the Founding Fathers had wanted to create a Christian nation, they would have gladly done so. What we tend to forget is that some of the Founding Fathers were themselves descendants of people who were persecuted by the state for their religious beliefs. That history about the extent to which the state could use religion to pursue an unholy agenda was not lost on them. Here are some features of an unholy agenda in religion, or of a religion without suffering. It is turbulent. It coerces people into a uniform belief system. It believes in the superiority of one human being over another. It drowns out dissent through violence. It is intolerant of divergent views. It rejects one’s freedom to choose. It suppresses women. It devalues human dignity. It is tribal. It is myopic. It is greedy. It corrupts us in unfathomable ways. For these reasons, we don’t need it. And because we don’t need any of it, we must always strive to draw a line between religion and Christianity - the kind which embraces crucified love. This is my prayer: please don’t give me religion; I have that in abundance. Give me Christianity, that way of life which conquers any semblance of religion in me and helps me identify with the cross. The truth is, Christianity is an identity to be received, not achieved. Christianity establishes the value of acceptance. And it is our acceptance by God that creates in us the desire and longing to also be crucified, just like our Savior Jesus Christ. Christianity transcends any of our religious instincts because to be a Christian is to bear the marks of our own crucifixion. According to A.W. Tozer, there are three marks of the crucified: 1. They are facing only one direction. 2. They can never turn back. 3. They no longer have any plans of their own. This past week I received an email from the Christ Church Interfaith Refugee Ministry, reminding us about the 5th anniversary of the US departure from Afghanistan, and the fallout from that decision. Ann Barnes spoke passionately about the ministry's work during last Sunday's worship. As you may recall, the departure of the US from Afghanistan led to an influx of Refugees from Afghanistan. In response, Christ Church formed the Refugee Ministry, which is now a coalition of about 16 congregations from diverse faith traditions. The ministry, which started with one family, is now supporting 14 families. The interesting part of the email was a list of parishioners who are responsible for the life-giving work of ministry to Refugees. The beauty of their work is that it is devoid of religion - that very thing which the Jewish authorities so desired and yearned for but which Jesus refused to offer to them. Surprisingly, some of us want the same thing - we want a religion. But in just the same way that Jesus didn’t give it to the Jewish authorities, he refuses to give it to us. This is not only because we don’t need it but because it has no value. I believe that our value lies in our willingness to offer ourselves up to be crucified, for it is through our crucifixion that we experience a God who loves us with the same amount of intensity with which He loved the only begotten son. If you have experienced this crucified love in your own life, in the life of the people you know or may not know, and you find yourself at Christ Church, then what Christ Church is doing is what you can do. Remember this: you cannot just take and receive ministry; you have to give ministry, do ministry, engage in ministry. You have to volunteer, you have to give, you have to share, and you have to serve - that is what a crucified love looks like. Believe that there are some hands that only you can hold, believe that there are some hearts that only you can comfort, believe that there are some people that only you can reach, believe that there are some needs that only you can respond to, and believe that there are some hugs that only you can give. Don't stop yourself. Christianity without the cross is a religion. Christianity with the cross is identical to crucified love - it is giving while living. Blessed Summer, Manny+

Help Our LEMS Students with our School Supply Drive - This Saturday, August 22 We can use a few more helping hands this Saturday morning, August 22. Whether you can stay for the entire time from 9:30 - 2:00 or just help for an hour or so, your assistance will be welcomed and appreciated! We'll start by gathering at the lower level of New Brick at 9:30 a.m. as we load up the supplies into vehicles, and then head over to the school and display them in time for the start of the LEMS Block Party at 11:00. During the Block Party, families who need supplies are given them, and we have provided enough for more than 100 students (THANK YOU for your donations toward these essential items!). We'll also have a Christ Episcopal Church table at the Block Party from 11:00 to 2:00, and if you wish, you can stay for any length of time to answer questions about our church or ministry, help give supplies to families, or simply enjoy seeing the kickoff to the new school year. Also, even if you can't come, please give to LEMS so we can provide more school supplies and support teachers throughout the year. You can write a check with LEMS in the memo line or give online using the drop-down menu labeled LEMS. Please visit the Christ Church website to read all the details, and speak with Cathy Whittaker, Jan Deboissiere, Sara Kirkpatrick, Jenny Cecil, or email us at LEMSPC@christchurchcolumbia.org. Community Action Council Gets Funds to Help Families in Many Ways In response to community needs, the Outreach Commission at its August meeting approved a donation of $2,500 to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). These are Vestry-approved funds derived from parishioners’ pledges and contributions. Thank you for helping others when they need it most. Christ Church is a long-term supporter – monetarily and through in-kind contributions to CAC’s Howard County Food Bank. Our seasonal food drives at Giant supermarkets collect hundreds of pounds of non-perishable groceries each year. The CAC is the county’s official anti-poverty, non-profit agency, which posted a snapshot of its impact in Fiscal Year 2026: 242 students educated, 88 families saved from eviction, 1,359,481 meals provided, 3,999 families kept their lights on, and 688 homes made more energy efficient. With your help, that work continues. Part of the donation will go toward the general fund, which covers aid for these services through several essential programs: early childhood education, housing assistance, energy assistance, and weatherization. A $1,000 donation goes to the Howard County Food Bank, which will use the funds to provide more options for Thanksgiving dinners. Some families and individuals prefer a hen, turkey breast, or plant-based proteins rather than a whole turkey. Having a choice becomes yet another aspect of a meaningful holiday. CAC expressed gratitude for the “tremendous support“ by Christ Church. “You can be assured that the donation will go towards providing critical human services to Howard County residents in need,” said Development Specialist Todd Stubbs. Despite being among the nation’s most prosperous, many residents in Howard County struggle with rising costs and financial instability. Demand for food assistance and affordable early childhood education has grown significantly, particularly along the Route One Corridor. CAC and government officials broke ground last fall in Elkridge on a site that will house a more efficient food bank and an education center, as described in a Sept. 26, 2025 county release. CAC received county and state funds to launch the project but is conducting a fundraising campaign for the balance. Bring Lightweight, Natural-fiber Clothing by Aug. 30 for an Outreach Collection to Help Visually-Impaired People and their Families in Nigeria Christ Church is supporting a late-summer clothing drive by the Living Above Limitation Charity Foundation (LALCF), which sends lightweight, natural-fiber garments to visually impaired people in Nigeria. Their disabled residents and their families face greater barriers than the general population and may not be able to afford sufficient clothing. Dr. Liz Trimnell of Laurel, MD, founded the charity to provide Braille classes, vocational training, white canes, and similar aids to the blind. Read about its work on its Facebook page. She made a presentation last spring to the Outreach Commission, which is sponsoring the drive under the direction of Sonni Aribiah. Her planned shipment by ocean freighter is scheduled to arrive in time for Christmas in Calabar, Nigeria, Sonni’s hometown. The visually impaired men and women who rely on LALCF for better lives – and their spouses and children – eagerly anticipate its arrival. At Christ Church, the deadline is Sunday, August 30, which is the same day as our Parish Festival & Ministry Fair. Look for the marked box in the Narthex. New or gently used clothing should be suitable for wear in a tropical climate and made of cotton, linen, flax, bamboo, and other natural fibers. No synthetics! Please bring the following: Adult – t-shirts and polo shirts (Sizes S–XL); lightweight pants and jeans (waist sizes 28–42); shorts (S-XL); casual button-down shirts (S-XL); t-shirts (Sizes S-XL or 6-18); casual dresses and skirts (Sizes S–XL); blouses and tops (Sizes S-XL or 6-18). Children – everyday play clothes for boys and girls; school-appropriate, all sizes; infant and toddler clothes, all sizes. Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food by home delivery to Howard County residents and at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help. FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes. FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents to provide guidance and financial support because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you! In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

Pentecost XII at Christ Church 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Family Worship 10:30 Eucharist with Music All three services take place in New Brick. Collect for Today: Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 56:1,6-8 Psalm 67 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 Sermon for This Sunday: Mother Marcia Davenport gives today's sermon, and you can view it below once the service has begun. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

This past Sunday, we held our annual meeting with our partners in Uganda, Friends of Sabina. Although I couldn’t stay throughout the entire meeting, I was deeply touched by the children and staff of the school for the enormous progress that they have made. Sincere thanks to Patricia and the team for working very hard on it. It was a labor of love, and, as you know, it comes with no great benefits or remuneration. For many of our parishioners who are sponsoring children at the Friends of Sabina School, much as their joy was about seeing their ‘children,’ even from a distance, we have come to find out that distance is of little consequence when love is the motivating drive. By choosing to be a part of the story of these children, these parents have demonstrated whose side they choose to be on. Watching the children reminded me of my first interaction with missionaries from Gideon International, who visited my primary school many, many years ago and donated New Testament pocket bibles. That Bible was a gift I held on to for a long time. I don’t remember the names of those missionaries, but I remember the gift they gave to me. One of the Bible verses I heard that morning, and which has stayed with me all through the years, is: Those missionaries did not give us any material gifts. They didn’t fix our school. They didn’t provide us with laptops. They didn’t pay for our librarian. All they did was share blue New Testament Psalms and Proverbs pocket Bibles, which contained the very Word that transforms human beings and daily invites us to our higher selves. Their gift demonstrated whose side they were on. More often than not, we are drawn into a debate about whether God is on our side. When we overcome any adversity, we are tempted to believe that God is on our side. When we ‘win’, we conclude that God is on our side. We sometimes even draw God into the mundane, like sports. There’s a well-known story of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Most Reverend George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, who attended a soccer game between Arsenal and Manchester United at Arsenal’s football stadium. Both the Rabbi and the Archbishop support Arsenal. Before the game, both men walked onto the middle of the pitch to thunderous applause. It was as if Arsenal would win the game that day. The game ended, however, with Manchester United soundly defeating Arsenal. But the interesting thing that happened after the game was a newspaper headline that said the presence of the two men and Arsenal's loss proved there is no God. The Rabbi would later respond that it may also prove that God supports Manchester United. He then went further in his response, making the point that God isn’t interested in either team; rather, God is interested in the game itself. If God is interested in the game, it doesn’t matter who wins. What matters is that the game offers a moment when God’s creation can come together to enjoy a particular sport, or any sport that brings the human family together and provides them with a sense of fulfillment in one another. A game offers an opportunity where human beings can find joy, pure joy, with each other. That is what God is interested in. A few days ago, one of the many local organizations we support, Grassroots, which provides critical services, had to lay off 62 workers due to cuts in federal funding. Grassroots offers essential services for people who are battling the demons of mental health, addiction, and homelessness, among others. Any resident of Howard County who has visited Grassroots, or any parishioner who has joined our Outreach Team in supporting Grassroots patrons, is very much aware of the services offered to people in deep distress. Recognizing the devastating nature of the decision to terminate the employment of more than sixty staff members and the damaging effect on both the staff and those they serve, the County stepped in to ensure these staff members keep their jobs so they can continue to offer help to the people who need it most. There is a story of Joshua, who stood among the people of Israel by the Jordan and presented them with a choice: choose whom you will serve this day. In other words, whose side do you want to be on? Do you want to be on the side of the God of Israel who delivered you from slavery, or on the side of the gods beyond the Jordan River? I do not want to minimize the difficulty involved in choosing which side we want to be on. But the fact is, we are often blinded by our allegiances, and so when we have to choose a side, the temptation is always to choose the side that aligns with the allegiances that we carry with us. In other words, we pay homage to our allegiances rather than to the side that best reflects the human face of God. Don’t ask whether God is on your side or on another person’s side. Like Rabbi Sacks, ask whether God is interested in the game, in a particular act, or in our condition or situation. It's best to ask whether God is interested in us carrying the Divine face with us. If there’s an example of any value that I appreciate its sustaining endurance, it is one of knowing that God in fact takes sides, but God only takes the side of fairness, justice, love, compassion, dignity, honor, grace, mercy, and so much more. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Church in Phillipi: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” I don’t only think about them; they are the side that I choose to be on. Whose side are you on? Blessed Summer, Manny+

Christ Church Donates to Episcopal Relief & Development to Help Washington State Residents Displaced by Raging Wildfires Wildfires in eastern Washington state have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area. In response, Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD), partnered last week with the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane to help those in harm’s way. Churches in the diocese are providing shelter, food, fuel, and cash assistance through gift cards, according to ERD’s post on August 7. ERD’s partners “quickly moved into action, ministering to people and families from surrounding communities who have been driven from their homes by the fires and forced to evacuate.” These include tribal communities near Yakima. ERD also offers people seeking comfort and hope an online resource in the form of its prayer hub. There you’ll find prayers in a time of disaster and prayers amid crisis. Please join in praying for those harmed by natural disasters. Outreach Commission members approved a $500 contribution to ERD for wildfire relief. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Thank you! Donation to World Central Kitchen Will Aid Victims of Colombian Earthquake In Colombia, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Pacific Coast on Monday, trapping people in collapsed buildings. An Aug. 10 report by NBC News noted a growing number of lives lost and disruption to hospitals, roads, aqueducts, energy, and telecommunications. At its August meeting, the Outreach Commission approved a $500 donation to World Central Kitchen (WCK) to aid victims. WCK was on the ground in Colombia immediately, handing meals directly to families in the hardest-hit areas, according to a WCK post on Aug. 11. Thanks to parishioners’ pledges and contributions to Christ Church, Outreach can draw upon Vestry-approved funds each year for disaster aid. The donations are in keeping with our mission to help those in need -- locally, nationally, and internationally. LEMS Block Party - Saturday, August 22 We need help at the LEMS Block Party on Saturday, August 22, so if you can, please meet at church on Saturday at 9:30 to load up the school supplies and transport them to the school. We also need help at the Christ Episcopal Church Block Party Table from 11:00 to 2:00. If you can come for even an hour between 9:30 and 2:00, please let us know! Speak with Cathy Whittaker, Jan Deboissiere, Sara Kirkpatrick, Jenny Cecil, or email us at LEMSPC@christchurchcolumbia.org. Also, even if you can't come, please give to LEMS so that we can provide even more school supplies and support the teachers. You can write a check with LEMS in the memo line or give online using the drop-down menu labeled LEMS. Please visit the Christ Church website to read all the details. Somos Amigos Takes Steps to Expand, Holds a Successful July Clinic Somos Amigos Medical Missions celebrated its future expansion on July 28 at a groundbreaking for a new clinic – a building that will be its first permanent, full-time home. When Founder and Executive Director Frank Brightwell made his annual visit to Christ Church on March 1, he delivered the sermon, thanking the congregation for our long-term support. At Sunday Circle, he described the plan to provide year-round care. To learn more, view the video, “Opening New Doors,” on the Somos Amigos portion of the church website. Or go to the Somos Amigos Facebook page for details and news of other recent activities. Somos Amigos held a successful summer clinic in the Dominican Republic from July 11-18, dispensing 2,400 prescription medicines and performing more than 600 lab tests. The level of testing was “well above our usual average,” Somos Amigos posted in its News from the Clinic – Summer, 2026. “This milestone reflects not only the growing demand for our services, but also the efficiency and coordination of our team. Each test represents an opportunity for earlier diagnosis, better treatment decisions, and improved long-term outcomes for our patients.” The next clinic will be held Oct. 10-17, 2026 in the rural village of Naranjito. To learn what it’s like to participate, ask repeat volunteers Dione and Jim Mahoney or parishioners who have previously volunteered. They include Outreach member Shahra Toth and physicians Ellen Boudreau Hoke and Preethi Jackson. Go here for volunteer information. Bring Lightweight, Natural-fiber Clothing by Aug. 30 for an Outreach Collection to Help Visually-Impaired People and their Families in Nigeria Christ Church is supporting a late-summer clothing drive by the Living Above Limitation Charity Foundation (LALCF), which sends lightweight, natural-fiber garments to visually impaired people in Nigeria. Their disabled residents and their families face greater barriers than the general population and may not be able to afford sufficient clothing. Dr. Liz Trimnell of Laurel, MD, founded the charity to provide Braille classes, vocational training, white canes, and similar aids to the blind. Read about its work on its Facebook page. She made a presentation last spring to the Outreach Commission, which is sponsoring the drive under the direction of Sonni Aribiah. Her planned shipment by ocean freighter is scheduled to arrive in time for Christmas in Calabar, Nigeria, Sonni’s hometown. The visually impaired men and women who rely on LALCF for better lives – and their spouses and children – eagerly anticipate its arrival. At Christ Church, the deadline is Sunday, August 30, which is the same day as our Parish Festival & Ministry Fair. Look for the marked box in the Narthex. New or gently used clothing should be suitable for wear in a tropical climate and made of cotton, linen, flax, bamboo, and other natural fibers. No synthetics! Please bring the following: Adult – t-shirts and polo shirts (Sizes S–XL); lightweight pants and jeans (waist sizes 28–42); shorts (S-XL); casual button-down shirts (S-XL); t-shirts (Sizes S-XL or 6-18); casual dresses and skirts (Sizes S–XL); blouses and tops (Sizes S-XL or 6-18). Children – everyday play clothes for boys and girls; school-appropriate, all sizes; infant and toddler clothes, all sizes. Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food by home delivery to Howard County residents and at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help. FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes. FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents to provide guidance and financial support because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you! In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

Bring a part of Christ Church into your home with our beautiful new custom magnets! We are offering two unique 3" x 5" designs: our classic CEC shield, and the vibrant 300th Anniversary Learning from Our History, Living into Our Future tree. Perfect for your refrigerator, filing cabinet, car, or any magnetic surface, these heavy-duty magnets are a wonderful way to show your parish pride and support our community. Each magnet is yours for only $6, or you can get one of each for just ten dollars! Speak with Yetti at church, stop by the office to pick yours up, or leave a good-faith donation in the boxes in the Narthex and grab yours there. You can also pay in advance - simply go to Realm and write "Magnet" in the memo line - or pay by cash or check when you get yours. Thank you for helping promote our amazing church while supporting the 300th Anniversary celebration!

From Autumn through Spring, Faith Formation is thriving at Christ Church, and anyone from pre-K to 12th grade is invited to gather with us next fall. It's a program of age-appropriate classes that’s relevant and engaging, and we're looking forward to an exciting year! The next Sunday School year begins on September 13, and registration links are on our website's Sunday School page. Our Youth and Family Ministry is growing—an amazing blessing—but it also means we need a little help. Right now, we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to step into our preschool Sunday School classrooms for the next program year, beginning in September. You don't need a degree in theology, of course, just a warm heart and a willingness to share God’s love with our littlest ones. The curriculum and all supplies are provided for you, and we have a team of clergy and leaders to help you get started and support you along the way. If you can help us fill these spots, please speak with Mother Marcia Davenport at church or email revmarcia@christchurchcolumbia.org. You can also call the Church Office to see when she is in her office.

During a special moment of today's 10:30 worship, Mother Marcia Davenport gathered our high school students and graduates to offer a heartfelt prayer as they prepare to take their next big steps. Standing together before the altar, they bowed their heads while she asked for guidance, protection, and wisdom to attend them in this exciting new chapters of their lives. The prayer served as both a blessing and a reminder that no matter where their educational journeys take them, they carry with them the strength of their faith and the continuous love and support of their Christ Church community. We love you in the love of the Lord!

Last Sunday, Lake Elkhorn Middle School Outreach's Cathy Whittaker caught us up at church on plans for this coming fall. Here's what she said: "We had the pleasure of meeting with the new LEMS Principal, Tony Esposito, last week. He has been a teacher and principal for over 20 years in Howard County and is excited about his new position. We also met with Cindy Drummond (our liaison), and we talked about possible ways that we can work together over the coming school year. The committee is so pleased to have Cindy in the position of Community School Site Coordinator, as she knows what the students and teachers actually need for the upcoming school year and helps us avoid duplicating the efforts of other organizations that help support the school. The first thing that we discussed was purchasing Agenda Books for all the middle school students. In the past, the district provided these, but that is no longer the case. Agenda Books would be very helpful as they provide a standardized year-long planner in which students would record their assignments and other school events. We will also be funding appreciation events for the teachers to support staff social-emotional health and well-being. There is no money in the county budget for teacher appreciation. Therefore, it is up to the PTSA to raise funds for such activities. As you can imagine, most schools have a much bigger PTSA budget because families in those schools are able to contribute much more. We could partner with the PTSA for things like breakfasts, cook-outs, and the health bags that we distributed last year. We will be putting together health bags and delivering them to the teachers. We would be welcome to actually come to provide a breakfast or other event, or just fund it. We also will be ordering school supplies that are on the school supply list. The amount that we can provide is dependent upon your contributions. Last year we were able to purchase enough items to help 125 students start out the school year. We will not be putting the supplies in backpacks since other organizations provide these and the school actually has backpacks left over from the previous year. We will continue to help with the monthly pantry as we have in the past. We distribute protein boxes of fresh food from the Roving Radish after school on the third Wednesday of each month. We also deliver non-perishable food on that day that is distributed by school social workers to families who are particularly challenged economically. Volunteers are always welcome. They include one-time and weekly commitments for activities such as: Lunch and recess monitoring Classroom tutors Mash-Up Day (6th Grade August) Turkey Trot (November) National History Day (January) Field Days (June) There are other activities that we don't quite have the funding for right now without your help. For example, Liz Thurston is the teacher in the Academic Life Skills class (ALS). This is a self-contained classroom for students whose IEP team has determined they would benefit from this program. Liz needs funding for two enrichment programs: Kind Cafe - The students sell coffee and treats to staff for a minimal cost. They learn to interact with others, keep a budget, and other activities related to running a small business. Best Buddies - LEMS "typical" students are paired with students in the ALS class about 4 times a year and they have parties with a variety of activities. It helps the ALS student feel more a part of the school and teaches the buddies to better understand students with disabilities. If you would like to give financially to LEMS, you can write a check and put "LEMS" in the memo line, or you can give online using the LEMS drop-down label. We need your help for the LEMS School Block Party on Saturday, August 22. That is the day the school supplies will be delivered around 10:00, so you could help load supplies and drive over to the school. We also need people to be at the table from 11:00 to 2:00 to let attendees know about CEC church activities. Cindy is always very generous in offering ways that LEMS can support us as well. She will advertise church events (e.g., the flea market, dinners) in the weekly LEMS Heart Smiles Bulletin. Finally, she offered to help with a Clean Up Day at CEC, if we give her some lead time. If you are on a committee that might benefit from LEMS student help, please let us know. . Apologies for the very long message. If you have questions, please contact us! You can email LEMSPC@christchurchcolumbia.org to reach us directly, or speak with me, Jenny Cecil, Jan DeBoissiere, or Sara Kirkpatrick at church any time! We deeply appreciate your strong commitment to this partnership and are excited to have you join us in this endeavor." Christ Church has a beautiful and long-standing relationship with LEMS, assisting them in many times of need. You can see your fellow parishioners' generous work on our website's many LEMS-related blog posts. The fact that there are more than one hundred posts speaks to the loving-kindness and unconditional action that Christ Church puts behind its LEMS ministry. Click that link to read those, and thank you for your prayerful consideration in 2026!

Pentecost XI at Christ Church 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Family Worship 10:30 Eucharist with Music All three services take place in New Brick. Collect for Today: Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: 1 Kings 19:9-18 Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33 Sermon for This Sunday: Father Manny Mercer gives today's sermon. You can view it once the service has begun. You can also read his sermon's text here. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

One of the many gifts and blessings that I celebrate in my ministry has been the joy of serving you, the faithful people of Christ Church. It has been my greatest honor, and I do not for one moment take it for granted. It has been such a special blessing for me, and I want to believe that in just the same way that you have been and continue to be a blessing to me, so have I been a blessing to you and to the people you love. I was hit hard by this deep sense of gratitude this past Sunday. I don’t really know where it came from, but there was this peaceful and holy moment while standing behind the Altar Table and looking at you, my faithful people, that was drowned by this grace of humility. I couldn’t keep the moment to myself; I had to share it with you, because the same sense of gratitude that I feel is what I believe you also feel. In that moment, I wondered to myself: "Who am I? What have I done to deserve the blessing of being a shepherd in this community at this time? Why this outpouring of love and blessings of grace within this community of faith?" That is not to say that we do not have significant challenges. We do have some very large challenges. But I believe that the gifts that the collective WE all possess within Christ Church outweigh the challenges that we may have. More importantly, if we see ourselves as Vehicles of God’s faithfulness, then there is no challenge that could be too big for us. I shared with our community the good news of a sixth transplant and a kind donation of $20,000.00. These gifts are in addition to what each of you, in your own varying ways and amounts, contribute on a daily basis to lift this church up. With your prayers and kind generosity, you breathe life into this community of faith. Again, I wonder to myself, what have I done to deserve the blessing of serving a people who fill each moment with gratitude. And whose belief in God drives every single bit of their actions. At our core, I believe we are humble enough to appreciate that everything that happens here at Christ Church is about the God who sees each of us, has given us the power to be Vehicles of the abundant grace for which Jesus suffered on the cross, and has empowered us to expound and propagate the deep goodness of that life-giving love. The fact of the matter is this: The good news has never been about any one particular person, group of people, or any community. It has always been about the good news itself, and we ourselves are humble Vehicles of the transforming love of God. It is the acceptance of that humility that makes us act. "Every Jew is born in a world of cognitive dissonance: between the world that is and the world that ought to be," said Rabbi Jonathan Sachs. "And we do not attempt to resolve that cognitive dissonance in our heads by some acts of theology, philosophy or theodicy. We agree that there is a contradiction between the world that is and the world that ought to be, and the only way we can resolve that is by action. Every act we do to right some wrong in the world brings the world that is a little closer to the world that ought to be." Rabbi Sachs was referring to Jews in his words, but I think what he said refers to each Christian, as well, because we also believe in works. And as James reminds us: Faith without works is dead.  For faith to have any credible value, it must always be considered as a protest against the sufferings of the world. Faith’s job is not only to raise the concerns of the suffering, the hurting, and the marginalized, but it is to empower us to act as Vehicles. To be a Vehicle isn't easy, but it is joyful. It is for that reason that we can rejoice in our suffering. To see yourself as a Vehicle, then, is a gift in itself; it is an empowering tool; it is a graceful acceptance of a role that aligns with God’s vision of the world. Here is a kind reminder: God is always creating. And to know God is to know the creative power of God, which is made manifest every single moment. To know God is to understand the lyrics of this hymn, New Every Morning Is The Love. To know God is to understand our unique role as Vehicles. But if for one reason or the other you have a challenge or are uncomfortable seeing yourself as such, then you have not only lost the joy of being a Christian, but you are controlling the joy within you. Malcolm Guite, an Anglican priest, wrote this beautiful poem, O Sapientia, that I’d love to share with you. Sapientia is wisdom in Latin. The poem is an Advent poem which brings into focus the divine creative role and the importance of wisdom’s guidance. O Sapientia I cannot think unless I have been thought, Nor can I speak unless I have been spoken. I cannot teach except as I am taught, Or break the bread except as I am broken. O Mind behind the mind through which I seek, O Light within the light by which I see, O Word beneath the words with which I speak, O founding, unfound Wisdom, finding me, O sounding Song whose depth is sounding me, O Memory of time, reminding me, My Ground of Being, always grounding me, My Maker’s Bounding Line, defining me, Come, hidden Wisdom, come with all you bring, Come to me now, disguised as everything. Sunday was such a special moment for me. And I believe it was a special moment because of the joy of being a vehicle. It is my prayer that wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you may embrace the joy and blessing of being a Vehicle of God’s transforming and life-giving love. Blessed Summer, Manny+